Fiji Becomes 52nd WTO Member to Accept Fisheries Deal

Fiji formally accepted the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies deal Oct. 24, making it the 52nd WTO member to do so. The announcement comes a day after seven other member countries also accepted the agreement, pushing it nearly half-way to the two-thirds threshold needed for full ratification. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala welcomed the development, noting that Fiji "is the first Pacific Island developing nation to do so, and we are confident it will not be the last. We hope this action will encourage not only the Pacific but also all other members that have not yet deposited [an instrument of acceptance] to do so.”